Coming up Friday at 9, comedic actor Matthew Perry will put his serious side on display, as he takes over as "Piers Morgan Live" guest host, opening up about struggles with alcohol and drugs.

As a recovering addict, Perry understands how hard the journey to sobriety can be, especially while under the scrutiny of the public eye. But Cory Monteith’s passing serves as a reminder that not all are fortunate enough to overcome addiction.

Welcoming Dr. David Sack, Perry looks to shed light on how this recent tragedy could have been avoided, while also inquiring as to what can be done to prevent others from succumbing to a similar fate:

"The fact that I never tried heroin, is the only reason I'm able to sit here. I'm positive. If I had tried that, I would not be around," Perry reveals to the CEO of Promises Treatment Center. “When I was in high school, there was pot in our lockers and now there’s heroin.”

While Sack suggests that the heroin itself isn't the biggest concern, he is worried about drugs within a similar class:

"The real epidemic is in prescription opiates, which belong to the same general category as heroin,” says Dr. Sack. "The increase in overdose deaths is directly related to doctors prescribing and overprescribing pain medications to people with drug and alcohol problems who then go on to become addicted.”

Having addressed the underlying issue, Sack feels that the next step is to find ways to address it both on a general and personal level.

I caught mathew's show by accident,I'm glad I did.He brought comedy and serious news together somehow.I thought the show was brilliant,I hope cnn realizes what they have and hire him as fast as they can.I saw a side of mathew I never knew exsisted. John

Seriously?
Programs? Money?
It sounds like you have to be an offender to get treatment.

You also ASSUME the BIG BOOK and 12 steps.
A shallow and disappointing approach to addiction.
Are you kidding?
I'm sure that you, Matthew Perry have a much more compelling and realistic story to tell to addicts.

Cory Monteith's overdose death should be call to action for celebrities to raise awareness about ways to prevent overdose, and especially high risks post-rehab. This is a bad enough problem with us normal people. There thousands more that die every from than than Cory Monteith or Heath Ledger, etc... via HuffPost http://huff.to/1dXQ8em

The thing is,James, is that celebrities have a hard time with the unmanageability of their life because of the fame and adoration they receive from their fans, and those around them. I have been trying to become a sober companion and recovery coach for over two years and not one person who could use my help has taken me up on it. i have tried to get in touch with the Musician's Union ( before Whitney Houston's death) and SAG ( Screen Actors Guild), and they haven't even let me do a presentation to see what I have to offer ( 21+years of sobriety and a Bachelors in Clinical Psychology).No one cares until there is a high profile death, it's just the way it is.

I congratulate Mr Perry on his recovery and wish him one day at a time the rest of his life. I emailed Perryshouse to inquire about the sober living facility for a family member and was disappointed beyond belief. $12,000 per month is not trying to help someone. That is using a famous name and a sad situation into a money making machine..I have nothing against making money, but don't use recovering addicts to do so..again, I wish Mr Perry a sober life as I know how addiction hurts and sometimes kills a person...

Who has HEROIN in their school locker? Idiots mostly. Perry is an idiot for becoming addicted. Personally speaking I have a hard time agreeing to have tax payer money paying for anything addicts need. Let them die if they can't quit. Who cares ? Monteith ? Who ?

Wow,Lord, do you have no empathy. I realize that people with substance abuse issues are not the most sympathetic demographic, but my God man. Would you say the same thing about someone with cancer, or any other disease they have no control over? I am a substance abuse counselor and it sounds to me like you had someone very close to you who had addiction challenges, and they let you down or hurt you in some way. Please let go of your anger and resentment, it only hurts yourself

Enjoyed Mr. Perry's show Inspirational. What are the telephone numbers, web sites, and other contact information that folks coul use to make contact. More should be done to help artists help artists with drug addiction. If only this was available to more folks that need help.

You can google Perrys house, Malibu and they will respond. As I mentioned they charge $12,000 per month for sober living...to me this is a huge racket and it offends me that he would use his name and his addiction to make money off other addicts..I'm surprised Mr. Morgan, being the Liberal that he is, did not ask him about cost. No middle class person can afford this place, nor get help from them. They did include a list of other sober living houses. These ranged in the $4,000 per month. I was checking for a family member, but there's no way they can afford this place. I guess more power to Mr. Perry if he can get the money. He's a good business man.

recovery houses range just like hotels, Motel 6 or the Ritz Carlton... I have seen them at twice being 30k a month. In this case its not about the money, it eliminates 90% of population which with this caliber of clientelle its a group of their peers. God Bless Matthew Perry if he saves one life it is worth it. You must remember Malibu is not low income. Quit with the judging and address reality. Some people spend 10 dollars for dinner other hundreds... Let it go...

- John – you are correct – and God Bless Matthew Perry for at least trying to "give back" – or " pay forward" – at least he is not throwing the addicts in the trash and moving on !!!!! And perhaps down the road – he will be in a position to do some – discount programs

TY, there needs to be other options besides inhouse rehab as follow up and aftercare is more critical. Many relapse and die. I feel AA works for some people but not all, options would be great. I have heard so many times "If I drink or use again I will die" in the rooms, well guess what, they do as the humiliation of having to start over again and face the clique of members is too much. Addiction is an effect of a internal torment from within. Professional help is required to peel the onion. Sponsors are great but not qualified and some are too controlling. I have been working on an online project, RecoveryTV and The Recovery Channel which is a site where the "Matthew Perrys" can be interviewed and show that the stigma of "sobriety" is ok. Our society glorifies drugs and alcohol through entertainment whether a concert or sports, its time for these individuals to give a positive message. I am one man trying to make a difference to "pay it forward" too.

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